Measuring and fitting device for surgical garments

ABSTRACT

1,100,538. Measuring for wearing apparel. JOBST INSTITUTE Inc. 7 Feb., 1966 [4 March, 1965], No. 5195/66. Heading A3V. A template 10 for measuring a limb for e.g. a surgical stocking is formed of flexible but inelastic material e.g. paper and includes a base strip 12 and transverse strips 13, marked off at 14 in fractions of inches, which are wrapped around the limb and secured to the strip 12 by means of pressure-sensitive adhesive spots 15. The template is removed by cutting through the strips 13 adjacent their points of connection to the strip 12. The adhesive spots may be masked until use by a single tape 17 or individual tabs (22) (Fig. 4, not shown).

United States Patent 3,327,394 MEASURING AND FITTING DEVICE FOR SURGICAL GARMENTS Ansis U. Tenteris, Toledo, ()hio, assignor to Jobst Institute, Inc., Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of Ghio Filed Mar. 4, 1965, Ser. No. 437,014 1 (ilaim. (Ci. 33-2) The present invention relates to improvements in a template type of device for the measuring and fitting of surgical or therapeutic garments. The contemplated garments are typically of the nature of a stocking or like limb or extremity encircling and confining unit, constructed in continuous tubular form of a bidirectionally elastic fabric, for example as illustrated in the patent to Conrad Jobst No. 2,574,873 of Nov. 13, 1951. This patent also discloses a method of forming a template for use in making a proper customized fitting of the garment in question, as does also the later patent to Jobst No. 2,691,221 of Oct. 12, 1954; and the present invention relates to further improvements in a template-like measuring and fitting device of the same general type and for the same purpose of enabling a special prescription for the garment, to be accurately carried out in its manufacture.

It is thus an object of the invention to provide an improved pre-measuring and fitting device or template which can be readily manipulated in use by an unskilled attendant, or by the prospective wearer of the garment which is to be fabricated on the basis of prescription measurement data obtained from the finished template. Thus, provisions are made in the template blank to minimize such manipulations and to render the same less awkward and time-consuming than has been the case of earlier developments along the same general line.

More specifically, the device of the invention comprises a one-piece template blank of flexible though inelastic material, such as paper of a suitable grade, which blank includes an elongated base strip adapted to be applied to the fitters limb in the direction of its length, and a plurality of transversely extending, calibrated measuring strips integrally extending at right angles to the base strip, in the same general fashion as the Jobst patents identified above, but with further improved means to be described.

In addition to the flat transverse measuring strips, which are individually calibrated along the individual lengths thereof in terms of whole and fractional inches of length, the improvement of the invention contemplates the provision on the longitudinally extending base strip, at longitudinally spaced zones at which it is met by the several transverse strips, of spots of a known pressure-sensitive adhesive, such as a latex base type which is tacky and adherent to the material of the measuring strips. Thus, as the latter are progressively wound about the limb, in the manner of Iobst Patent 2,691,221, the side thereof opposite that on which the measuring calibrations appear may be directly adhered to the adhesive bearing areas, Without requiring an application, at the time of using the device, of adhesive or other securing means for the purpose. Following the successive manipulation of all of the transverse strips to encircle the limb, they are severed in the manner shown in the Iobst patents, then forwarded to the fabricator for construction of the garment on the b asis of the indicated measurements.

Patented June 27, 1967 ice adherent temporarily to the adhesive in question under a preformed force of adhesion sufiioiently less than the force of adhesion of this pressure-sensitive adherent to the stock of the base strip, or being treated to render it so, whereby the masking means or element may be stripped off of the adhesive Without causing the latter to be peeled off of the stock.

Thus, with the device of the invention positioned along the limb to be measured and fitted, the transverse measuring strips are progressively wound about this extremity and adhesively secured in place, in each case after the masking means or member has been lifted to expose a pressure-sensitive adhesive spot. It is therefore unnecessary for the user to relinquish a grasp upon the strip or tape means in order to apply some further type of individual securing element or means; and the application of the device to the extremity may proceed smoothly and progressively from one end thereof to the other, after which the transverse strips are all severed in the manner referred to above.

In one of the embodiments illustrated herein, the masking means in question is shown as a continuous elongated tape applied along the length of the base strip to cover longitudinally spaced areas of pressure-sensitive adhesive in lateral register with the transverse measuring strips.

In another and preferred embodiment of the invention, the masking means takes the form of a plurality of individual masking tabs specially treated for the purposes of the invention. Thus, each tab may have applied thereto a spot of the pressure-sensitive adhesive in question, it being intended that the tab also serve as a means to transfer the adhesive onto the base strip. Accordingly, each tab is such, or is treated to be so, that when it is, in the manufacture of the improved device, pressed on the base strip, its adhesive will attach to the stock of the latter under a greater force of adhesion than that under which the tab adheres to the adhesive; and each tab may therefore be stripped off to leave the adhesive exposed on the base strip without lifting or marring the adhesive area.

Mention has been made of the intended use of the device of the invention for the taking of prescription measurements for the manufacture of a surgical or therapeutic device, such as a stocking. However, the use of the device may be extended beyond this area.

For example, it may be used as a testing device in determining the time rate of swelling of a body extremity; and in this use any one or more of the transverse measuring strips of the device may come into play. Thus, a measurement can be made at the beginning of the test and repeated as often as desired. The difference between the initial and subsequent measurements on .a strip or corresponding strips indicating the circumferential change, so that the volume change of the extremity as a whole can be determined.

Furthermore, a transverse section of the device may be utilized to measure a body surface area such as an area severely turned in regular outline, enabling the exact area of damage to be accurately determined.

The foregoing as well as other objects will become more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawin gs illustrating the invention, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a template blank in accordance with the invention, laid out in flat condition, this blank being calibrated along the length of its transverse strip members and being equipped with the improved adhesive securing and masking provisions of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the manner of completing the template and removing the latter from a limb;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view illustrating the manipulations in bringing the template blank and its masking tape component to its condition for removal as shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view illustrating a further modified and preferred embodiment of the invention, in which individual adhesive areas are applied to the base strip of the device in a different manner, and masked prior to use of the device to prevent fouling.

The template blank illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawing is generally designated by the reference numeral 10, being of a flexible and non-metallic but inelastic mate rial, such as a suitable grade of ordinary paper having good resistance to tear. Blank consists of an elongated base or body strip 12 which is no less in length than that of the completed template, also the limb encircling garment to be fabricated as directed by a prescription or specification derived from measurements indicated on the finished template. In the manner of Jobst Patent 2,691,- 221, a series of transversely extending, somewhat elongated measuring strips 13 project at 90 from the base strip 12, and are herein shown as being integral side continuations of the latter.

While a majority of these strips 13 (such as are adapted to encircle the broader or bulkier portions of the limb FIG. 2) are of equal length, the remainder, commencing with a strip specially designated 13' at which the application of the device to the limb preferably commences, may be of progressively diminishing length, as in the direction toward the right in FIG. 1. This renders the template blank 19 more readily manipulated in application, as in the calf, ankle and foot areas. Each transverse measuring strip 13 or 13' as preferably provided with visual calibrations 14 throughout at least a portion of its length, being marked in terms of whole and fractional inches. Such provisions are common to both embodiments of the invention illustrated herein.

In further accordance with theinvention, the longitudinal base strip 12 is provided, at longitudinally spaced zones at which transverse strips 13, 13' integrally join the same, with spots 15 of an appropriate pressure-sensitive adhesive which is tacky and strongly adherent to the material of the transverse strips 13. In the alternative, the adhesive may be applied as a continuous coated length along the Zone of base strip 12.

Finally, in order to permit the compact packaging of the template without adhesion to the pressure-sensitive spots or areas 15, the latter are shielded from above by a single elongated length of a suitable masking tape 18. This may be a flexible inelastic strip material of a nature which is less strongly adherent to the pressure-sensitive spots 15, or is treated to render it so, than to the material of the blank 10. Hence tape 18 may be manually stripped back from the areas 15 without causing the latter to be lifted from base strip 12 or otherwise defaced.

The manner of employing the template blank 10 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. With the masking tape 17 fully applied along the series of adhesive spots 15 in the manufacture of the blank, the tape may be first entirely stripped back from those spots or, as suggested in FIG. 3, may be progressively separated therefrom as each of the strips 13, 13' is wrapped about the limb and then pressed down upon the adhesive spot 15 with which its length is aligned.

Next, as fully applied in the manner shown in FIG. 2, the limb encircling strips are successively snipped or clipped off adjacent their union with the base strip 12, leaving the template in a completed form in which it is forwarded to the garment fabricator for use in the construction of the surgical garment.

The improvements in accordance with the invention are, of course, very simple, but they enable an unskilled fitter or prospective user to make the template fitting with comparative ease, using both hands in a relatively easy operation, and without requiring an interruption of the strip applying procedure to securefastening means to hold the strips in their fitted position.

The provision of numerically calibrated indicia at 14 on the transverse strips 13, 13' permits the garment fabricator to have a direct visual reading of measurements, by resort to which a comparison of dimensions for one limb with those for another is available. The incorporation of the adhering spots 15 and their masking tape 17 is of little or no significance in increasing production cost of the measuring and fitting device of the template of the invention; yet it contributes significantly to the ease and convenience of use of the template, hence enhances saleability of garments constructed with its use.

FIG. 4 of the drawing shows another embodiment of the principle of the invention, and one also preferred by me, in view of the fact that it contributes to efficiency in the manufacture of the device, here designated generally by the reference numeral 20. Since the basic structure of the blank of the unit 20, including outline, calibration and the like as shown in FIG. 1, is the same as in that embodiment, corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numerals, and the description will not be further extended in these respects.

The template device or unit 20 is provided with its pressure-sensitive adhesive spots, here designated 21, by the use of individual tab elements or members 22, one for each such spot and serving as a transfer agent for the adhesive, which is known to the trade as a transfer adhesive.

Thus, on the one hand the spots 15 are applied directly, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, to the elongated base strip 12, in the form of a latex or related type of adhesive or glue which is tacky and quite strongly adherent to the material of the blank, being thereafter covered by masking means 17 which is (or may be treated with a suitable parting compound to be) less adherent to the adhesive spots 15 than they are adherent to the base strip 12. On the other hand, the tabs 22 of FIG. 4 themselves carry and mask the adhesive spots 21 prior to application of the latter to the paper blank of the device 20.

That is, each tab 22 has applied to one side thereof a commercially available pressure-sensitive adhesive or glue, such as is manufactured by the Avery Label Company of Monrovia, Calif, under its trademark or marks, the tab surface being (or treated to be) less adherent to the adhesive 21 than the latter is to the paper stock of the blank of device 20. Prior to use the adhesive of the tab 22 may itself be masked or shielded by sheet means (not shown) to which it is but weakly adherent. Outwardly of the adhesive-bearing area of each tab 22 the latter bears a non-adhesive pull extension 23.

Accordingly, in the manufacture of the device 20 the tabs 22, with the adhesive 21 thereof exposed, are pressed onto the base strip 12 at points in transverse alignment with the measuring strips 12, and left thus attached until the device is to be used. The manner of such use is evident in FIG. 4.

As there illustrated, the two transverse measuring strips 13 to the right have been wrapped about the limb and pressed on transversely aligned, exposed adhesive spots 21. The spot 21 immediately further to the left has been exposed for the next strip wrapping operation, while those still further to the left remain masked by the tabs 22. They are exposed when the user grasps the pull extension 23 and strips the tab away leaving an adhesive spot exposed and unmarred.

. As an improvement in specific degree over the embodiment of FIG. 1, the use of individual adhesive masking tabs 22 not only eliminates the need for a special adhesive coating operation in the manufacture of the device, they also permit an exposure of any one or more isolated adhesive spots, as desired, without unmasking others, hence without possibility of fouling the device 20 at unused portions thereof. In either embodiment or adaptation, the inelastic nature of the base and transverse measuring strips 12, 13, respectively, causes the latter to come each time to the same vertical level, permitting desired accuracy in use.

Reference has been made above to a contemplated use of the devices It) and 20 other than in measuring for fitting of a surgical or therapeutic garment, for example in testing rate of swelling, and in the measurement of irregular damaged surface areas. In an application such as the last named, it is contemplated that the device 10 or 20 shall be made of a moisture resistant or non-absorbent material, such as a suitable plastic or plastic coated paper, so that contact with moist skin or open wounds will not cause the device to deteriorate. Moreover, the material or its treatment may be such that the devices may be sterilized, if intended for use over open wounds.

What I claim as my invention is:

A device for measuring and fitting a surgical garment to a limb or like body extension, comprising a one-piece template unit of flexible inelastic stock, said unit including a longitudinally extending base strip portion of substantial length having a series of longitudinally spaced further strip portions integrally connected thereto to projects transversely from one of the margins thereof, said further portions being calibrated on one side and along the length thereof in indicia of longitudinal dimension, said base strip portion having a pressure-sensitive adhesive applied on the same side thereof in a Zone longi- 6 tudinal thereof, including areas in transverse register with the respective further strip portions, the opposite sides of the latter being adherently engageable with said adhesive at said areas when said further strip portions are wrapped about the body extension, and masking means in removably adherent engagement with said base strip portion at said Zone to shield said adhesive against adherent contact with the remainder of said template unit prior to use of the latter, said masking means being adherently engageable with said adhesive under an adherent force less than the force of adhesion of said addesive to the stock of the device, said masking means comprising an individual masking element for each of a plurality of adhesive-bearing areas, each element having a tab portion not adhered to the stock of said unit to facilitate removal of the masking element in use.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,205,626 6/1940 Mason 33-179 2,691,221 10/1954 Jobst 3315 2,742,705 4/1956 Gerlardi 33l37 2,932,897 4/1960 Huber 33137 LEONARD FORMAN, Primary Examiner.

L. V. ANDERSON, Assistant Examiner. 

